Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 46 — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MERCMANTS by the other’s serene super- iority. Gulsworth was just a factor in the problem, and he had to keep him like that. As they talked, a third ’plane appeared. It bumped notice- ably before the engine cut and a plump figure bounced out. Bulmont! So he was still in the running. Despite himself, Bradley felt a certain ad- miration for the fellow. Mud- dling along with bad organisa- tionand out of dateequipment, he had lasted longer than most. Bradley thought of the third convoy he had seen. If that was Bulmont’s they'd never make it in time, not with the kind of stuff he could afford. Unless, of course, he had found a new backer. Bradley looked at him thoughtfully. Uncertain of his reception, Bulmont advanced with a deprecatory half-grin. He waved an absurdly small hand towards the ship. “I may as well tell you that I haven’t got enough to fill this one. Maybe, if I land the contract, one of you fellers would like to chip in. That Oe ear ae A genius for saying the wrong thing, thought Bradley as the voice tailed off. Guls- worth regarded the newcomer 127 coldly through a blue haze . of cigarette smoke. “You haven’t got it yet, Bulmont.”’ The voice gave nothing away. It was just a statement of fact, but Bulmont looked like a reprimanded child. Bradley felt uneasy. *““There’s time yet,” he said. As though in contradiction, the outer airlock of the ship opened, and an_ insulated ladder slowly unfolded to the ground, The cabin was an irides- cent green, with fittings in different shades of the same colour. Coolness and an aque- ous tranquility. Only the Earth-type chairs struck an incongruous note. The two Clotids remained silent as the men made their way towards the chairs. Pinkish eyes ob- served them with detachment as they settled themselves. It was considered ill-mannered to speak until one was com- fortable and relaxed, able to give full attention to one’s words. Bulmont had never been very good at it. Try as he would, his rotund frame some- how betrayed its eagerness to bounce out of relaxation into action. The larger Clotid spoke first. comiclooks.com